cultural norms, placemaking, and social justice: creating inclusive public spaces for women

Background and objectives: in algerian cities, access to and use of public spaces remain strongly conditioned by cultural norms, gender stereotypes, and spatial inequalities. women are often perceived as less legitimate users of public space, resulting in unequal access, limited visibility, and a heightened sense of vulnerability. this research explores how collective representations, particularly gendered social expectations, cultural constraints, and socio-spatial dynamics, shape women’s behaviors and restrict their appropriation of public space. grounded in gender-sensitive placemaking, the study seeks to identify key obstacles and planning-related challenges while proposing inclusive urban strategies.methods: the study adopts an anthropological and reflexive methodology, combining a literature review with mixed methods. it integrates qualitative interviews, field observations, and a structured survey of 100 women in the ben-boulaid alleys of batna, algeria. the empirical strategy was designed to investigate how cultural expectations, spatial arrangements (lighting, accessibility, urban design), and socio-economic characteristics (age, occupation, mobility) intersect to shape gendered uses of public space. this methodological framework allows for testing the assumption that these factors play a decisive role in producing spatial inequalities and limiting women’s access and autonomy in urban environments.findings: the results show strong associations between women’s use of public space and multiple interrelated factors. a significant correlation was found between the frequency of visits and age/occupation. cultural barriers were identified as the most influential factor limiting access, followed by inadequate infrastructure and perceived insecurity. negative correlations were observed for perceptions of equal access (r = –0.167, p = 0.098) and women’s access to the ben-boulaid alleys (r = –0.189, p = 0.060), indicating exclusion from certain spatial practices. lighting was positively correlated with reduced fear of aggression (r = 0.165). furthermore, 72% of respondents judged current gender equality measures as insufficient. these results confirm the hypothesis and emphasize the urgent need to integrate gender indicators into urban planning practices.conclusion: this research highlights the importance of rethinking urban policies through a gender lens, incorporating women’s lived experiences and spatial needs into the design process. it calls for participatory placemaking strategies that promote safety, inclusivity, and cultural sensitivity, aiming to foster public spaces that are accessible, welcoming, and equitable for all.